Sunday.
While people go to church, others sleep after partying on Saturday... and others just enjoy their precious free time... but here I was at the arena. Ok, just at the racecourse, but I wanted to sound more dramatic for my own good.
'I can do it!'
The rain is pouring heavily on my face, refreshing me... but at the same time, it made everything harder. I had to run on the dirt track, a kind request of the system for some juicy speed points... and I was almost finishing, but of course, suddenly it got worse and the dirt became mud.
"I can't braaaake!!" I screamed after I passed my objective.
Then I started to spin out of control like a car skidding. Okay, if someone had seen me, maybe it would have looked cool, but I was terrified; it's no joke at that speed, and I ended up spinning on the ground covered in mud.
"Haaaa.." I sighted in relief.
(Amazing! Getting to practice is important! And learning more about different racecourses is important in the route to becoming a legend! +15 Speed!)
For some reason, thinking about becoming a legend still sounds like an unreachable thing; I don't even know if I would aim for so much, but it brought a faint smile to my face.
"A legend, huh... sounds complicated." I looked at the sky, the rain poured down on my face, it made me feel alive.
It was a rare moment to have some time alone, after all, some random umas surrounded Flashy like an idol and invited her to go out with them, and poor Haru went to the countryside for her debut, she told me she will bring me some souvenirs tho, she looked so radiant, some of her energy was traspased to me. But being alone isn't a bad thing, yesterday night I had my fair chance to check the animes of this world, and damn, those Uma Rangers were kinda fire...
"Yosh!" I made my resolve, fire in my eyes, 'I will see more episodes today!'
"Oiii!" Someone's voice startled me, making me jump towards a puddle of water.
As I raised my face, I looked to the strange yet familiar voice, and there she was, the legend, the goddess, the Tokai Teio. She was wearing a very cute impermeable, it even had socks for her horsy ears. She looked radiant, like an angel who descended from the skies. And yes, that's me fangirling.
'Teio is talking to me!'
"Are you okay?" She said, a little worried, "You were amazing there! So much spirit in your eyes, you were focused on your goals!"
My ears fell flat against my head, and I gained a faint red colour on my face because of the shame while I laughed and put a hand on the back of my head.
'I was just thinking about anime! Sorry!' I thought, 'She probably thinks I was invaded by a racing spirit!' Then I hurried to speak, "I'm fine, just a little training in the rain."
"Nnnnn!" Teio looked so full of energy; she was vibrating, "That's the way to go!" She said, fully motivated, "I'd love to see your debut and concert!"
"A," I said, opening my mouth, being frozen in the spot, "C-Concert?" I said slowly.
"Nnnn! Nnnn!" She exclaimed, positively raising one finger, "I'm sure you will daze the fans after you win!"
"C-C-Concert..." I suddenly became even more pale.
"Yeah, the concert," She said happily.
She looked at me.
I looked at her. Smiled sheepishly.
She looked a bit confused but still smiled.
Then I looked in another direction.
"Don't tell me..."
"I totally forgot about the concert!" I said, panicking.
I haven't even won yet, and suddenly a huge problem arises on the horizon!
"It's team Spica all over again!" Teio said, like reviving an old trauma, placing both hands over her head.
"Oiiii! Teio!" I heard Goldship nearby calling for her friend, but I was too focused on panicking about the prospect of having to perform if I win.
'I didn't sign for dancing and singing!' I thought I could say I sucked in my last life doing athletics, but I never even tried to be a singer, and I was too stiff to be a dancer.
"Eeeeh? Are we playing drama!?" Goldship said being in for whatever was happening.
Tokai Teio looked at Goldship and then looked at me, crossing her arms.
"It won't do," She declared, "Goldship, I'm sorry!" She turned to her friends, placing both hands in a sign to ask for forgiveness. "I told you we would go to eat something tasty, but I can't let it happen again!" Goldship looked confused, but before she could ask, I felt Teio's intense gaze on me. "You will accompany us, dear Meek."
I gulped soundly, "W-Where...to?"
"Say goodbye to your free time, we have to go to the karaoke, pronto!"
'Noooo goodbye Uma Rangers, ' I thought, closing my eyes as if I had been reprimanded by a supreme being, "Yes..."
I barely had time to take a quick shower before I was dragged by Goldship and Teio.
(New quest! Survive!)
...
...
...
Crunch... Crunch...
"One! Two! One! Two!" Teio clapped as she counted again and again.
"I'm trying!" I claimed, "Ouch!"
Crunch... Crunch...
"One! Two!" She then showed me again how it's done as I moved my body, "Come on, follow the tempo!"
Crunch... Crunch...
"Oi! Golshii! Stop eating those snacks, you are making too much noise!"
"Haaaaii!" She said as she put on some headphones and started reading a magazine.
Of course, she wasn't practicing, but as for me... I never thought about dancing before, not even after coming here, I had felt too overwhelmed with the races to think about doing concerts too... but yeah, in this world Umas ain't just into racing, but they are idols too.
"Why do we do concerts?" Asked Teio, repeating my question, "For our fans dummy!" She said.
It is a virtuous circle. To compete in some races, Umas need the votes of the people, so they perform to gain the support that they need to keep progressing their careers, and also they do it to give thanks to the people cheering for them. Also, since I learned in classes, betting is prohibited in this world for many years in Uma races due to some legal issues with some groups, but selling race tickets with a concert seems like a bonus that many people agree to pay. So, that's why the winners take the central spot; it's more screen time for them.
"There is a long way to go..." Teio saw me failing some steps and losing my balance.
"Sowwy...!" I said with tears in my eyes.
"Don't worry, we still have this room for two more hours!"
'Flashy... save me!'